Predictors of Quality of Life in Older Estonians*
Virve-Ines Laidmäe MA, Krista Tammsaar

Abstract
The aim of the study was to identify elderly people’s (65+) subjective assessments about their quality of life and possible socio-demographic and health-related resources in order to be able to influence it. The study is based on a postal survey conducted in 2010 in cooperation between Tallinn University and the Helsinki Arcada University. In Estonia 1500 questionnaires were sent out and 581 were completed and returned. Among the respondents 39% evaluated their quality of life on a 100-point scale as high as 61. The quality of life of the elderly depends to a considerable extent on their positive outlook on life and different health indicators. Women showed higher incidence of bone and connective tissue diseases and stress symptoms. The majority of the respondents complained about sleep disorders (90%). For elderly persons the perception of being worthless and feeling lonely are accompanied by lower assessment of quality of life. The data do not confirm improvement of quality of life in older age (U-turn approach).

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